Cardoso shares insights on Adams & Suarez’s integration at Sundowns
Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso has shared his insights on how Jayden Adams and Lucas Suarez are integrating into the team following their arrival in the January transfer window.
Adams joined Sundowns from Stellenbosch FC in a high-profile transfer, while Lucas Suarez arrived on loan from Argentine side Club Atlético Talleres until the end of the season.
The Bafana Bafana international had been a Sundowns target in the off-season, but a transfer fee agreement couldn’t be reached then. Six months later, the talented midfielder completed the big switch to Downs on a long-term contract.
He is the second Stellies player to join Sundowns for the 2024/25 Betway Premiership season after Iqraam Rayners joined in July 2024.
Despite facing tough competition in the central midfield from players such as Teboho Mokoena, Bathusi Aubaas, Marcelo Allende, and Sphelele Mkhulise, Adams has quickly adapted to life at Sundowns.
The 23-year-old has started two successive matches in the league for The Brazilians and came on as a second-half substitute in one match.
JAYDEN ADAMS SCORED IN HIS FIRST START FOR SUNDOWNS
In his first start, Adams produced a Man-of-the-Match performance and opened his scoring account when Sundowns defeated rivals SuperSport United 3-0 last Wednesday in the Tshwane Derby.
The midfield maestro was also in the starting line-up when Sundowns defeated Orlando Pirates 4-1 at Loftus Versfeld Stadium this past Saturday in a league tie.
Interestingly, Cardoso also handed another new signing, Suarez, a start against The Buccaneers, and the Sundowns coach says both players have shown character to be involved in the matchday squad.
“I keep what I said before: when a player comes to our club and faces a group of players that have quality, he needs to perform every day, he needs to perform in every training session, and he needs to embrace the spirit and the values of the club,” said Cardoso.
“So Jayden, Lucas and the others are embracing the spirit, so I can say the adaptation is done because the adaptation comes very quickly when you have the qualities.
“We just need to embrace the reality, relate with the others and accept what’s happening and they share the values of our locker room that are very strong, we don’t accept lack of commitment with the values and lack of commitment with the values can take you out of the team.
“So we also try to shape character, and Jayden has shown character, and we put him to play [against Pirates]. He’s a quality player. You [journalists] know that, and you knew that before me.”
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